Linda Moran has spent many years telling children that it is all right to cry when they lose a loved one.

The founder and director of Buddy’s Place of Pillars, Moran knows something about grief. She lost her father to cancer when she was 14. Her older sister, Nancy Holton, died of cancer years later, leaving behind a husband and two boys, each she would affectionately call “buddy.”

Moran worked with her nephews to talk through their grief. She also began learning about the grieving process. She then earned a master’s degree, became a licensed clinical professional counselor, and then founded the bereavement support program aimed at children ages 4 through 18.

”I hear back from families who have attended (Buddy’s Place) who report that it has been very beneficial to their families in ways that were not imagined,” Moran said. “There’s more of a comfort level about talking about the deceased. One of the things they learn is it’s OK to cry and OK to be sad. They learn that grief never ends, we are always grieving the loss of our loved ones, but that doesn’t mean its a sad thing. Love doesn’t end with death.”

Moran is retiring as director but plans to stay actively involved in the program.

“That’s important for the community to understand,” she said. “I just won’t be doing the day-to-day operations.”

Quotable
“When my dad died, it was the mid 1960s and this was handled in a very different way. I was alone in my grief,” Moran said.

Philosophy
“This is no dress rehearsal. You only get one chance at life, and every day is precious and you have a choice everyday to make it the best day that you can’

Favorites
• Family
• Golf
• Swimming
• Working out

For help
For more information contact: 
ADDRESS Buddy’s Place of Pillars, 333 North La Grange Road, Suite One, La Grange Park
PHONE (708) 698.5500
E-MAIL info@pillarscommunity.org